Goal-line staff



Dec. 31, 1929. w. E. DAViS GOAL LINE STAFF Filed Nov. 16, 1927 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 WALLACE E. DAVIS,

PATENT OFFICE OF RANGER, TEXAS GOAL-LINE STAFF Application filed November 16, 1927. Serial No. 233,617.

. This invention relates to a staff designed primarily for use on the goal lines during football games.

If, in playing the game these staffs should be placed directly on the lines there would be danger of the players being injured by coming into violent contact therewith.

It is an object of the present invention to provide staffs of this nature which, when pressed against by a player in action will yield so as to prevent injury.

A further object is to provide a staff of this character which is simple and efficient in construction, light and durable and can be manufactured readily.

l/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the 2 details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the preferred forms of the invention have been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a goal line stafi embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section, portions being broken away,

illustrating a modified form of shaft.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates an elongated core formed preferably of galvanized wire of so about 7 gauge. This Wire is pointed at one end as shown at S and is provided at its other end and at intermediate points with integral annular collars 3. Molded about this core is a sleeve 4 formed of rubber or other suitable flexible material, this sleeve being eX- tended over the wire core at one end but terminating at its other end at a point approximately six inches from the pointed end of the core. Sleeve 4 snugly engages the collars 3 SP so as to be held against sliding movement relative to the core and may be provided at suitable points on its outer surface with pairs of annular beads 5 forming grooves 6 therebetween. These grooves can be employed for receiving a cord, not shown, provided for fastening a flag or the like to the shaft.

Instead of constructing the shaft as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 it can be made as illustrated in Figure 3 wherein a metal stake 7 having a' sharp end 8 is employed. Soldered or otherwise connected to the other end of the stake is one end portion of an elongated coiled spring 9 the other end of which preferably terminates in an eye 10. This spring may be enclosed with a sleeve 11 of rubber or other suitable flexible material although it is to be understood that, if desired, this sleeve may be dispensed with. The eye 10 is adapted to be engaged by a string employed for attaching a flag to the staff.

In practice the staff is placed on the goal line and it will be apparent that should the same be struck by a player, the staff will yield readily to the impact so that no injury will be caused. With a structure such as illustrated in Figure 1 the bent staff can be easily straightened. Where the staff is made with a coiled spring it will automatically straighten itself after being bent.

This staff can be carried readily, can be easily set up, and is obviously most desirable for use because of the elimination of danger to the players.

What is claimed is:

A goal line staff including a normally up right inert bendable core, spaced annular collars thereon, and a cushioning sleeve housing all portions of the core except one end thereof and held against longitudinal displacement by the collars, said end of the core being pointed for ready insertion into the ground, there being annular grooves in the sleeve for the reception of fastening cords or the like.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aifixed my signature.

WALLACE E. DAVIS. 

